Auburn finds another big-name player, balance in its recruiting class

AUBURN -- Marcus Roberson became Auburn's 23rd commitment Monday, bringing the buzz of being the No. 2 cornerback prospect in the nation with him, and giving the defense a slight edge in the makeup of the Tigers' recruiting class heading into the final hours of Recruiting 2011.

Auburn has commitments from 12 players on defense and 11 on offense -- assuming Brent Calloway plays linebacker instead of running back. He could do both.

Roberson is the fourth defensive back to commit, a position that only trails the five linebackers listed on Auburn's recruiting Big Board heading into Wednesday's National Signing Day.

Auburn can bring in 25 of these players, though the NCAA allows schools to sign as many as 28 to account for non-qualifiers.

Roberson is from Saint Thomas Aquinas in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. He checks in at 6-foot-0, 180 pounds. He is an Under Armour All-American.

Roberson committed to Texas Tech where his uncle, former Auburn player Otis Mounds, is a graduate assistant, but immediately left the door open saying it was only a 50-50 chance he'd sign there. He won't.

After visiting Florida the previous week, and then entertaining new Gators' coach Will Muschamp at his home, Roberson decided Monday to end his recruiting and pick Auburn, which was always one of his finalists.

"That's the school I'm comfortable with. I've wanted to go to Auburn since the beginning," Roberson told AuburnSports.com. "There is just something about Auburn that I love. There is a lot of history, a lot of tradition. I just feel Auburn is the best place for me."

Roberson had 19½ tackles and three interceptions last season, despite opponents running plays away from him, according to the Sun-Sentinel newspaper in Fort Lauderdale.

Roberson helped St. Thomas Aquinas to a 15-0 record and the Florida 5A state championship.

The breakdown of Auburn players committed so far looks like this: Five linebackers, four defensive backs, four offensive linemen, three defensive linemen, two running backs, two tight ends, two wide receivers and a quarterback.